A 'Win-Win-Win' is Possible in Wellesley and Beyond
Shaping a plan for 180 apartments on a Wellesley community college campus illustrates just how complicated carrying out the State Land for Homes program will be.
A proposal to turn 45 acres of underused land at MassBay Community College in Wellesley into at least 180 units of housing would be a win for all the parties involved.
But getting there illustrates just how complicated these projects can be, even when they’re done under legislation designed to streamline housing development.
Last year’s Affordable Homes Act includes a provision that allows the commonwealth to turn state parcels that have been determined to be surplus into housing with a density of at least four units per acre and to bypass local zoning processes.
Under a provision in the law that sunsets in about five years, municipalities would only be allowed to impose “reasonable regulations” regarding characteristics such as setbacks and building height.
“reasonable regulations”
Author's summary: Plan for 180 apartments on Wellesley campus faces complexities.